Method and apparatus for decorticating fibrous plants.



W. S. GROVE.

METHOD'AND APPARATUS FOR DECORTICATING FIBROUS PLANTS.

APPLICATION FILED JULYZI. IQIG.

' Patented Aug. 20, 1918 ZSHEETS-SHEEI' IN V EN TOR.

BY m w 7 fl/S A TTORNEYS.

m-uma. wAsnlNu'ron, n. c.

W. S. GROVE. METHOD AND APPARAI'US FOR DEGORIICATING FIBROUS PLANTS.

Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

.I$HEET5SHEET 2- APPLICATION FILED JULYZI. I9I6. 1,%?6,34c8.

I N VEN TOR.

um Noums FCYERS co. FHDTO-LITHU.. WASHING mu. 1:. c.

- W. S. GROVE. mmoo AND APPARATUS FOR oeconncums FlBROUS mans. 1 ,276, 348 Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

ISHEETS-SHEEI 3.

APPLICATION HLED .IULYZI. I916.

TNE NORRIS rzrsns cc. Pnmmuma. wnmmmm. u c.

W. S GROVE. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEGORTICA TING FIBROUS PLANTS.

APPLICATlON FILED JULY 27 1916. 1276,34. Patented Aug. 20, 191&

ISHEETS-SHEET 4.

[N VEN TOR.

/L/J ATEORNEYS.

W. S. GROVE. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECORTICATING HBROUS PLANTS.

APPLICATION FILED 1uLY21. 1916. 1 1 ,2 76 34% Patenteu Aug. 20, 1918. 7SHEETSSHEEI' 5.

a g m v w. s. GROVE. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECORTICATING FIBROUS PLANTS. 1,276,348,

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27. I916.

' A Patented u 20, 1918. I

ISHEETS-SHEET a.

IN V EN TOR.

W. S. GROVE. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECOHTICATING FIBROUS PLANTS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27. I916- 1,276,348. Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

ISHEETS-SHEEI I B N 7 N 1 a, smnih no following is a I have found it e light and readily portable power-driven fiber-extracting machine car- 7 1 the invention also relates-to a UNITED;

WINFIELD s. GROVE, or Mr tnm wm isL' "nos, Assicivon ro FIBRE Madam- ERY COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORFQRATION OF NEW YORK. 1

METHOD Ann APrARATns For. nnconrIcA'rInc rnanons rLAiv'rs.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, WINFIELD citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Manila, Philippine Islands, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods and Apparatus for Decorticating Fibrous specification.

The object of the invention isto-provide a machine for removing tracting cleaned fibers from said plants free from pulp and other Waste materials, and

the machine is particularly adapted to perfOI'III. v V

I The machine which is the subject/of the present invention is particularly adaptedfor obtaining fiber from the known as abaca and commonly called Manila hemp. The machine, however, can be readily adapted for the treating of sisal, maguey, pineapple or the like.

I As a result of my study and work entailed in the extracting of abaca fiber by machinery desirable (a) to produce a comparatively rying its own motive power. This is rendered necessary because of the relatively low yield of fiber from the stalks, the average yield of clean fiber from the under two per cent. (2%) of fiber in weight, as compared with thetotal weight of the stalk. (b) To design-a machine the cleaning or decorticating members of which are constructed so as to extract clean fiber from the stalk with a minimum strain and without bruising, cutting or destroying the cellular construction of the fiber. a machine which is automatic, which requires but minimum attendance and which extracts y ofdecorticatlng members taken as on thethe fiber from the entire length of the sheath, strip or stock and automatically delivers the fiber from the machine free from pulp or waste and comparatively free from water and acids which may have formed part of the substance of the sheath, strip or stock I Specification of L etter's Patent S. GROVE, a

Plants, of which the the pulp andwaste from fibrous vegetable plants and for exaway, method which sheaths or strips Fig. 1.

of the trunk orstalk of the fibrous plant arrow G in Fig. trar1ly referred to as a view of the forward abaca plants being (c) To design I and 7 looking in the .The parts are shown 1n Fig. 8 on a'somewhat larger scale than in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

- of mechanism moving the arms carrying the decorticatmg of the cleaning or fiber caused by the The present, invendecorticating members.

tion which is the basis of this application PatentedAug. 20, 1918. 'App1ication'fi1'ed. m 27,1916. Seria1No.111,555.

embodies all of the above-requirements, as

will be manifest from what follows; I As showing certaln'specific embodiments of the invention reference is made to the drawing s forming a partof-this specification and in which drawings, i Y Figure -1 is a planview of a pulp and waste removing or fiber extracting machine.

Fig. 2 is an elevation,

chine and is a view looking in the of arrow A in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the working side or feeding-in side of the machine and 1s a view looking-in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 4; is an end elevation of the machine andis a view looking in the direction of the 1. This view may bearb-ior gripping end of the machine. I

, Fig. 5 is an elevation, partially broken away, showing several sets ofdecorticating members mounted upon an arm and a part of a mechanism for moving said arm.

Fig. 6 is a transversesectional view and is a view taken as on the plane indicated by the line 6-6 Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a plan view upon the upper end of the shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In Fig. 7 two knives or decorticating members of the sets of decorticatin'g members and'the holders or carrying members for said knives have been plane indicated by looking downwardly swinging arm removed, and two knives and their holders 7 which can be employed for members.

. Fig; 10 is an shown in Fig. 9.

elevation of the mechanism In Fig. 10 some of the" partially broken of the ear or driving side ofthemadirection in Fig.

dicated-by the line 14-14 and rigid construction.

a frame sired.

ed, comprises a strip of shaft 8. "The tive'touthe main frame.

parts have been removed so asto show other partsmore" clearly thanthey are "shown" in Fig. 9. Fig. 10 is a view taken as 'onthe aip'l'aneindieate'd the broken'line D-D in Fig. 11 is a plan View of the shown inFigs. 9 and'lO;

ig. 12 is an end elevation and is a view looking "in the direction of the arrowl2 9 or Fig. 11. 7 r Fig. 13 is a sectional View taken as on p the plane indicated .by theline 13-13 of lT-igl. 9; looking iir'tlie direction of the arrows. Y gFig-lt isa. view taken as on the'plane inlooking in the direction of the arrows '(seeFi'g. 9).

Fig. 15 is a View takenas on the plane indicated' by theline 15-15 looking in'the direction of the arrows (see F 'ig.;9)'.

In the form of machine shown in Figs. 1 to 4 there is-ama'in or supporting frame 1. This mainframe ispreferably made of commercial rolled shapes, suitably tied together inorder to provide a simple, light As, howeverfthe manner of constructing .uch a frame will be manifest to persons skilled in theart a detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary. Moreover the construction of such is clearly indicated on the drawings. This frame is mounted on rollers or wheels 2 whereby the frame and all the parts carried thereby can berea'dily trans ported from one place to another as de- The machine is provided with a member 3. In the sea drum or fiber resisting construction shown this fiber resisting mem her is circular in form, thus providing a curved periphery. The drum, as constructsheet metal at that is bent around and secured to the two angle irons 5 and 5"; Radial braces 6 are connected to these angle irons 5 and 5 and are also securedto bearings? that float upon a main lower portion of the angle iron 5 is directly connected or anchored to the main frame 1, as through the medium of the anchor or brace 9 shown in Fig. 4 and anchors or braces 9, 9 shown in Fig. 3. Brace 9 serves to secure the lower portion --ofthe drumfixedly relative to the main frame, and braoes9"and 9 cooperate with the lower brace and thus serve to secure the drum as a whole in a proper position'rela- Bracing members l0-and 1P1 strengthen the frame against vertical sidewise distortion. The radial braces 6' being securedto the floating bearings? serve to maintain the fiber resisting memher or drum iii-place relative to the main s'haft-8.- Themain shafts-is mounted." in niaiirbearings'or pillow blocks 12 which are secured to the upper longitudinal members 13of: the mainframe 1. The main bearings,

main shaft, floating be'aringsTand diagonal braces 6 cooperate with. the anchors or braces ere ana'e' to" position anailoid the fiber resisting member or drum 3 in place. 7

A'maingear isi-carried 'by the shaft 8 but can revolve relative to the shaft. A pair of arms, one designated as 15 and the "seen-euro this main gear, thus providing a construction in which the pairof' arms swing about a-fixed. axis, to wit, aboutthe axis of the main shaft 8. The arm 15, carries a number of sets or pairs of opposing decorticating membersVdesignated'asf15 15 ,115]and15f Each or Pa of the decp r i ati g memb -3. 0 pri ses a decortfjatingtool or knife and an inner decorticating or resisting member Y, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. The-knives X are" mounted so that they can move toward and from the resisting members Y will hereinafter appear.

The arm 16 decorticating members which are similar in their general construction -.to those carried by the arm 1 but an inspection of the drawings,jand panticularly Fig. 3 thereof, will make 15 are arranged to strip the fiber when the arm 15 being swung about its axis, as in a counter-clockwise direction, whereas the decorticating'members carried by the armlh carries several pairs of sets of itclear that'the knives on the arm" 16 18 moving, as in a clocln vise directiQn, about the same axis which coincides with the arms of the main shaft 8. The sets of decorticating members on arm 16 willherein after be referred to eating members;

The main gear 14 to which the arms 15 and 16 aresecuredis driven from the continuously rotating driving shaft 11.5 of a motor, as M, through a'train of gearing comprising intermittently operated gears which areconstructed and arranged so that with a motor operating continuously there can be imparted to the gear 14 and COnsequently to the swinging arms 15 and 16 secured thereto swingingmove'ments in oppo site directions. In other'words,,the gear 1% can be driven in a direction to move the arm 15 in the direction of the arrow marked as subsequent decortibers on the swinging arm 15. can be performing their function of stripping the fiber in an end portion of the strip or stock to be cleaned and. removing the pulpv and waste. 'This'isthe V to take place. It is manifest that the strip of stock being operated. on is detached from the planter mother stock and during this cleaning operationthe butt end B of the strip or stock ably-treated.

Just prior to this and'while'the cleaning of the butt "end of the strip is being performed the strip or stock is seized by the first cleaning operation b clockwise direction,

gripping mechanism at 17 hereinafter referred to as initial gripping mechanism.

This mechanism comprises a movable jaw 18 and an opposing member or fixed jaw 19 which fixed jaw may be considered as a part of the main body of the resisting member. The mechanism for moving this jaw 18 will subsequently be described.

After the butt end of the stock has been 7 10 cleaned a pusher or whip l? is brought into operation and forces the cleaned fiber of the butt end into a second gripping mechanism 20, which second gripping mechanism is hereinafter referred to as subsequent gripping mechanism. Before the cleaned fibers are gripped by the arms 15 and 16 have been moved in the direction of the arrow marked A A. (viz. in the counter-clock wise direction see Fig. 3) to the dotted position indicated in Fig. 2. The dotted po sition shows that the initial decorticating members have moved past the butt end H of the stock and that the opposing members of the subsequent decorticating members on the arm 16 remain on opposite sides of the fiber which has already been cleaned. The decorticating members on the. arm 16 are then brought into operative relation and the gear 14 carrying the arms 15 and 16 is caused to move in the direction indicated by the arrow B B, to wit, in a clockwise direction, (see Fig. 3) until the decorticating members of the arm 16 have. completed the cleaning of the strip or stock in the machine. In other words, the gear 14 and the arms thereupon make a complete revolution, plus a sufficient movement to bring the members back to their initial position shown in full lines in Fig. 3.

In the machine as designed the gear 14 moves one-sixth of a revolution in a counter-clockwise direction (see Fig. 3), whereby the set of initial decorticating members or tools on arm 15 will be moved 40 from their initial position to a position where they will completely clean the butt end of the strip or stock being treated and thereafter the gear 14 will be moved a revolution and a sixth of a revolution, in a so that said subsequent decorticating members or tools on the arm 16 can be employed to clean the rest of the strip or stock and will also be brought to the initial full line position shownin Fig. 3. It will here be noted that during the time said subsequent decorticating members are being moved in the counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow A A, they are functionally inoperative. After the decorticating members reach the dotted position shown in ig. 2 the subsequent gripping mechanism is closed and the initial gripping mechanism is opened. ing themovement in the clockwise direction 6 the initial decor icat g membe s an Durserted in the machine and prior to any other parts of the machine being moved for the purpose of gripping or cleaning the strip or stock. 7

As previously indicated the construction of the swinging arm 15 and the manner of mounting the decorticating members thereupon are substantially the same as the construction of the swinging arm 16 and the manner of mounting the decorticating mem bers thereupon; therefore a description of only one of these arms will be given.

In Fig. 5 there is illustrated a part of the main gear 14 to which the arm 15 is secured through the medium of. straps or spacing members 21 that are directly secured to the gear 14 by bolts or screws 22. The free end of the arm 15 has a block 23 that extends laterally over the fiber resist- 1ng member or drum 3. This block carries the resisting members Y which are held in place, as by means of bolts 24. The resisting members Y may be referred to .as inner decorticating members because they are nearest to the drum and are operatively lo cated between the inner side of the stock .95 being cleaned and the drum. The knives or decorticating members 15, 15", 15 and 15 are secured, respectively, to the outer end 25 of a holding member 26. Each knife may be referred to as an outer tool or outer decorticating member because it is operatively located farthest from the drum and on the outer side of the stock on the drum.

To each knife holding member there is attached one end of a tensioning spring 27, the other end of which spring is adjustably secured as by a nut and screw connection 28 tov a part of the swinging arm 15. Due to the connection just referred to the desired tension can be imparted to the springs and in this way the pressure of any individual knife or decorticating member against the stock being cleaned can be regulated. Each of these knife holding members is located in a guideway 29 and is held in place in said guideway as by means of overlapping plates 30 and 31. Each of the knife holders is provided with a projection 32 carrying an anti-friction roller 33. The knife member or outer decorticating tool, which is the 1 movable or yielding decorticating member of each set, is always maintained in operative position in respect to its companion re sisting member by means of the tension of the springs 27, except at such times as it is caused to be held in an inoperative position due to the roller 33 engaging a member or members arranged to cause the tools to be held in said inoperative position. The

1 members which cause the tools in be held in. ,30

inoperative position are cams or tracks which will be subsequentlydescribed more in detail. The cams or tracks which control the movable decorticating tools or knives on arm 15 are designated by G and the set of cams or tracks which controls the movable decortic'ating tools or knives on arm 16 are designated by J (see Fig. 2). The movable or yielding decorticating member, to wit the knife X, is in effect pivotally mounted at 34; upon the knife holding mem ber 26 and when properly adjusted relative to its unyielding resisting member Y is secured in place by the screw 35 which passes through a slotted portion 36. This slotted portion can be in either the knife or the knife holder. The knife is therefore finally fixedly but adjustably secured in place in its holder which can yield.

The block 23 has control stops or plugs 37 which are seated in sockets 38in the block. These steps or plugs are held in place through the medium of a small pin 39 which is normally pressed inwardly by the spring 40. The contact stops can be relied upon to positively limit the movement of each knife toward its companion resisting member whereby the opposing decorticating members will always be maintained at least a predetermined distance apart. The yielding holder is located at only one end of the knife, that is at the end of the knife which is nearest to the gear or driving side of the machine, or in other words away from the feeding-in side of the machine. There is no direct sup-port for the end of the knife at the working side or feeding-in side of the machine, except that afforded by a projection 41 (see Fig. 8), because it is desirable to pass the stock sidewise into the space between the knives and their companion resisting members. In order, however, to provide an additional support for the end of the knife at the working side of the machine a projection or supportin member 41 is provided for each knife. This projection is shown in Fig. 8 and also in Fig. 7. Each knife can be readily changed by removing its screw 35 and by sliding the knife along the pin at at which provides pivotal connection until the enlarged portion of the slot 42 can pass over the head of the pin at 34. 1

One side of the machine has heretofore been referred to as the working side or feeding-in side of the machine. The side thus referred to is the side which is shown at the left hand of Fig. 1. This particular side has been referred to as the working side of the machine because the operator or feeder of the machine will stand on this side. On this side there is a table for supporting the work pieces or strips of stock prior to their introduction into the machine and the strips are pushed from the table to the leftover the fiber resisting member or drum 3. When the strips are moved from the table over the resisting member 3 thev'first' occupv the position shown in Fig. 3; that is, they enter the space between he inner and outer members of each set of decorticating members on the swinging arm 15 and swinging arm 16. It will be observed that the resisting or inner members of each'of these sets of decorticating tools are at this time located between the fiber to be cleaned and the fiber resisting member or drum 3. In other words, the inner resisting members always travel, during the time when they are operating to assist in the cleaning of a strip, between the strip or fiber being treated and the fiber resisting members.

, The feeding table is designated by T and it comprises fixed su ports FS and movable supports MS. These sunnorts are substantially in alinement and in effect form the upper portion of a table. able supports MS has an upwardly extending horn or projection and is actuated at a certain timed relation with respect to the movement of the swinging arms through the medium of'the mechanism 0 that is actuated from a cam on the main shaft 8 (see Fig. at). The movable supports MS can move from the position shownin Fig. 1 to the left or over the fiber resisting member or drum 3, thus moving the fiber or stalk to be treated into the position indicated by the broken line in Fig. 3. After the decorticating tools have completely cleaned the strip and have left the last end of the strip they continue their movement in the same direction and both the knives and the. resisting members finally pass over the cleaned butt end of the strip, which is then supported on the resisting member or drum 3, to their initial position. Thereafter, the subsequent gripping mechanism 20 is released and an ejecting mechanism K is brought into operation to remove the cleaned fiber from the fiber resisting member or drum 3 and convey the cleaned fiber to a receiving rack or arms 106.

The member 3 has heretofore been referred to as the fiber resisting-member. An inspection of Fig. 3 will make it clear that while the initial dec'orticating members on the arm 15 are being moved in the direction of the arrows A A to clean the butt end of the strip, stock is not only gripped by the initial gripping mechanism at 17 but due to the general curvature of the resisting member 3 some of'the strain' is directly absorbed by the resisting member 3. Likewise when said subsequent decorticalting tools on the arm 16 are being moved in the direction of the arrow B B said initial gripping member at 17 is open and the fibers are gripped by said subsequent gripping mechanism at 20. The strain imparted to the fiber duringthe cl an g p r ti n is n t all transmitted Each of the movas heretofore described,

to the place where they are gripped by the 1grippers 20 but some of it is absorbed by the ber pressing against the resisting member 3, the action being similar to that of the belt on the periphery or face of a pulley which it is engaging.

Reference has heretofore been made to the initial gripping mechanism at 17. The movable jaw member 18 of this mechanism has a shank 44 which is slidable in a guideway 45 that is secured to themain frame 1 by braces 46. The lower end of member 47 that is engaged by a controlling cam 48 on the main shaft 8. This shaft 8 is driven so that itmakes one complete revolution for each cycle of the cleaning operation and the cam is constructed so that it brings the movable jaw 18 into gripping position prior to the time that the decorticating members on arm 15 are operating to clean the butt end of the strip and holds said jaw in said position during said time. The closing of the jaw at 17 takes place immediately after the strips have been inserted, in the position shown in Fig. 3. A spring 49 is relied upon to open or lift the jaw 18 when permitted to do so by the controlling cam, this opening taking place after the decorticating members have cleaned the butt ends of the stripsand also after the pusher P has moved the ends of the cleaned portions of the strips into the space between the jaws of said subsequent gripping mechanism 20; and also after the gripping mechanism 20 has actually gripped the ends thus positioned therein. :-The gripping v mechanism 20 is closed through the medium of the lever 50 whichis pivotally mounted upon a fulcrum whips the 51 carried by the main frame 1 and which lever is actuated by means of a controlling cam'52 that is on the 'main shaft 8. The lever 50 has an anti-friction roller 53, which is the member that directly engages this cam. A spring 54 engages said lever 50-and operates to open the gripping mechanism 20 when the cam 52 permits the gripping mechanismto be opened. The pusher P heretofore mentioned may sometimes be referred to as a whip because it moves quickly and cleaned ends of the fiber into the space between the jaws of the gripping mechanism 20. The outer end of the lever 50 is in the form of a corrugated jaw, though a plain jaw maybeemployed, and this pro-- vides the movable jaw 56 which coiiperates with-a relatively fixed jaw or member 55. The pusher P is in a retracted position, that is aw y from the gripping jaws fromthe time prior to the introducing of a strip to be treated into the machine until after the butt end of the strip has been cleaned by the initial. decorticating members on arm 15.

-Upon the completion of the cleaningofthe butt end of the strip by the decorticating this shank 44 has a both continuously rotate.

whereby members on arm 15 'he pusher or whip P is caused to move quickly inwardly by the spring 57 which is allowed to act due to the controlling cam 58 releasing the roller 59 that is on the end of the slidably mounted rod 60, the latterof which is connected at 61 to the lever 62 of the pusher 1 This lever 62 is fulcrumed on the frame at- 63.

The pusher together with the ends, which 1t conveys into the jaws is gripped between the jaws and is held in gripped position during the time that said subsequent decorti- I eating members on arm 16 are serving to clean the rest of the strip.

In the form of apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 4 the power for operating the machine is derived from the motor M having a continuously rotating shaft 115 which provides a driving shaft. This motor drives a bevel gear 64 by means of the pinion and chain gearing which comprises the 1 sprocket 65, chain 66, sprocket 67 shaft 68, sprocket 69, chain 7 O and sprocket 71, the latterof which is secured to the bevel gear 64. Thebevel gear 64 meshes with a bevel gear 7 2 that in turn meshes with another bevel gear 73. A shaft 74 passes through the bevel gears 64 and 73 and this shaft can be driven by means of either one of these gears when a movable clutch 75 is positioned so as to engage a corresponding clutch portion of either the gear 64 or gear 73. The shaft 74 has connected to it a spur-gear 76 (see Figs. 2 and 4) that meshes with and drives the main gear 14. he clutch member 75 is positioned in operative engagement with either the clutch part of gear 64 or the clutch part of gear 73 by means of a'cam 77 which moves the yoke 78.

This cam 77 is continuously rotated through the train of gearing which comprises the shaft 68 to which the gears 67 and 69 are connected, a gear 79 that is carried on the 83 and shaft 84, the latter of which carries the cam 77. To cured a sprocket 85 which in turn drives, by means of a chain 86, and sprocket 87, the main shaft 8. The main shaft 8 and the cam controlling member 77 actuated thereby In other words, cam 77 and shaft 8 do not reverse their movement at any time during the operation of the machine. It has heretofore been made clear that the main shaft 8 carries the cams which control the opening and closing of the initial gripping mechanism, the closing and'opening of the subsequent gripping mechanism, the. operation of the pusher or whip P, the-operation of the ejecting mechanism K and of; the feeding-in mechanism a new series of operations can be this shaft 84 there is also se- 11 instituted. The gearing and cams are constructed and timed so that the movement of the diflerent parts will take place in-the. manner described. The cam 77 is constructed and geared so that it will operate to cause an engagement of the clutch member with bevel gear through the medium of the clutch 75, shaft 74 and gear 76, will turn the gear 14 in the counter-clockwise direction, indicated A in Fig. 3, to first clean'the butt end of the, strip which is in position to be cleaned. WVhen the pusher P has placed the cleaned end in the gripping mechanism 20 and when said subsequent gripping mechanism 20 has gripped the cleaned fiber thus positioned, then the clutch member 75 is moved into engagement with the clutch portion of the other bevel gear, to wit, gear 64, whereby a reverse movement will be imparted to the shaft 7 1, the gear 76 and the main gear 14 so that said main gear and said subsequent decorticating members will be caused to move in a clockwise direction indicated by the arrow B B in Fig. 3. The movement in this direction will be more than a complete revolution. In other words, it will be suflicient to carry the decorticating members to their initial position, to wit, the position where the stock was first fed into the machine for the purpose of being cleaned. The cam 77 is constructed so that when the members reach this position the clutch 75 is automatically disengaged whereby a new sequence of operation can be adequately per formed.

It has heretofore been made clear that the initial set of decorticating members on the arm 15 operate only when moving in the direction indicated by arrows A A and that the subsequent decorticating members on the arm 16 operate only when traveling in the direction indicated by arrow B B. y The decorticating members on arm 15 are under the control of a track construction G while the decorticating members on arm 16 are under the control of the track construction J. When the arm 15 is in the initial position, to wit, the full line position shown in Fig. 3, the several rollers '33 are pressed against a stationary portion 88 of the track G, due to the force of the springs 27. vAs thearm 15 starts to move in the direction of the arrow A A each of the rollers 33 successively moves rom the stationary portion 88 upon a switch As these rollers successively pass upon the switch 89 they pass under the free end of another switch member 90. The switch member 89 yields under rollers traveling along the same and allows all of the rollers to move to a position where they can pass under the fixed portion 91 of the track G. With the movement of each of the 'decorticating memb members is successively brought intooperative engagement with the butt ends of the strip or strips of stock to be cleaned and said initial decorticating members remain in engear 73 whereby said bevel As th the pressure of the.-

pressed by the rollers.

ersin the manner Just described each set of imtial decorticating gagement with said strip or strips of stock until passing beyond the'eXtreme butt end or ends which have been fed to register-into grippers at 20 having been pushedinto post tion to be gripped by the pusher'P.

T e opposing members of the sets of initial decorticating members on 'arm '15, and

'70 end of the strip the portion this includes not only the knives but the resistance blocks,

fiber which is on the resisting member or fiber, while said initial pass over or outside ofthe drum 3, but not in engagementwithf sai decortlc'ating inembers are being moved in the direction of the" how said subsequent decorticating members It will presently be explained,

on arm 16 are brought into operation assaid arm moves in the e main gear rection of the arrow arm 15 are under the fixed track 91 and they pass from under this fixed direction of the arrow BB. starts to travel in the di'-'. B B the rollers 33 011 portion of the *90 portion 91 under the movable memberor switch '89 which is position shown in Fig. spring 89, to and under member 88 upon which the rollers rested when in their initial osition. The:yieldabl 7 each Set 0f v or movable members of normally held in' the I 2 by means of a i or behind the fixed quent decorticating members on arm 16 are held in inoperative position during the movement of the arm in arrow A A by means" of the stationary member fore the arm 16 reaches in the direction of the arrow A A each of the yieldable decorticating members that'a're held in an inoperative the direction of the rollers 33 resting on 92 of track J., Bethe end of'itis travel position by said fixed portion 92 of the track passes from saldf position that it will hold which has just been cleaned by'the in tial" The switch sets of decorticating members."

of the track. This abutment 94 isat such i the yielding 93 is normally held in the position shown in the latter is not his spring yields rollers 33 when subsequent decorticating members succes sively pass from the abutment or fixed 'por tion 94:, when the arm 16 is moyed in the direction of the arrow B B.

here is now nothing to prevent the decoricating members on arm 16 from operatively engaging the work-pieces ors'trips of a part of the frame of the resisting member or drum. The fulcrumed point 100 is carried on a member-107 that is secured to this same angle 5. The receiving racks or arms 106 are shaped so that the cleaned fiber will be automatically conveyed a distance from the drum by its own weight.

As a matter of fact the portionof each of operations can be performed.

The feeding-in mechanism or table comprises the fixed supports FS heretofore re ferred to and the movable supports MS having hornsor projections 43. The movable supports with the horns thereupon are the members which are moved inwardly to force the strip of stock to position to be operated upon and the movable members MS are actuated by means of the slotted levers 108,levers 109, lever 110 and cam 111, the latter of which is secured to and carried by the shaft 8. The movable members MS are normally held in their retracted position shown in Fig. 4 by means of a spring 112 and they are moved so as to feed the stock to the ma chine by the controlling cam 111. 11 series of arms 113 provide a magazine for holding a number of work-pieces or strips of stock to be cleaned and from this magazine the required number of strips of stock are placed upon the feeding mechanism or tableby the operator of the machine. The feeding-in mechanism performs the function of transferring the strips of stock or work-pieces to be treated from the feed table into the proper space between the opposing members of the decorticating tools or members. The magazine and feed table are supported'in place by any suitable framing which comprises for instance the members 111 that are secured to the main frame 1.

The main gear designated 14 in the construction shown in Figs. 9 to 15 inclusive corresponds in its function and mode of operation to the gear '14 heretofore described and shown, for instance in Fig. 5. main gear 14: is driven from a continuously rotating shaft 115 that constitutes a part of a continuously operating member M. This member M may be any member which is continuously driven from a suitable source of power, or it may be a continuously op erating motor, such as is indicated in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4. The shaft 115 has secured thereto a pinion 116 which serves to continuously rotate a gear 117 in one direction and a gear 118 that is This in mesh with said-gear117 in another direction. The gears 117 and 118 are twin gears operating in opposite directions. The gear 117 is mounted upon a shaft 119' and this gear has secured thereto, by means of suitable bolts 120, an intermittent gear 121 anda cam 122. The intermittent gear 121 cooperates with and serves to drive another, intermittent gear 123, the latter of which is carried upon and secured to a shaft 124. The last-mentioned shaft has secured thereto a gear 125 and thus the gears 123and, 125 will rotate in unison or together when one of them is driving. The construction of gears 121 and 123is such that for a portion of a period, when the gear 117 is beingrotated, the gear 121 will be imparting a rotary movement to the gear 123 and so. that during another period of the rotation of-the gear 117 the gear 121 will, be holding the gear 123 fixed and in a dwell. It will be observechhowever that the gear 121 always rotates with the gear 117, and the dwell or holding of the gear 123 and the gear which moves in unison withit, to wit, gear .125, is accomplished through the medium of the intermittent gearconstruction provided by the gears 121 and 123. The function of the cam 122 will subsequently be described. The gear 118 ha secured to it by means of the bolts-126 one member of a Geneva gear construction, to wit, the driving member 127 and also a cam member 128. The driving member 127 of the Geneva gear construction comprises a lock-plate'127 (somedriving pin or driving roller 127 This member 127 of the Geneva gearconstruction cotiperates with a notched member 129 which constitutes the driven member of the Geneva gear construction. The member 129 has a set of dwells .129 and a set of notched or roller engaging portions 129 The. lockplate portion 127 engages a dwell portion 129 so as to hold the member 129 in one position during a portion of the time when the gear 118 and the attached driving member 127 of the Geneva gear are being rotated. The gear 118 is mounted upon a shaft 118 which is supported in any suitable hearing on the frame. The driven notched member 129 of the Geneva gear-construction'is keyed to and mounted upon a shaft 130 upon which a gear-131 is mounted and to which said gear is keyed so that the gear 131 and the driven member 129 of the Geneva gear will move in unison each time the driven member of the Geneva gear is partially rotated. The gear13l'may be considered one gear of a set of twin gears, the other of which is the gear 125 heretofore described; A gear 132 meshes at one time with the gear 131 and at another time with the, gear 125. The gear 132 is shown inFigs. 9' and 10 as being in mesh with the gear 131; The gear times referred to as a roller-plate) anda gear 125 an'd vice versa.

132 is keyed to a shaft 133 to which a gear 134 is also keyed so that the gears 132 and 134 will move together. The gear 134 is always in mesh with the main gear 14. The gear 132, shaft 133 and gear 134are carried on a swinging arm or lever 135 that is mounted so that it can swing on the main shaftS which is the same as the main shaft 8 heretofore described. The gear 132,shaft 133 and gear 134' constitute a floating gear construction which is movable from a position where it can be readily driven by gear 131 to a position where it can be driven, by The lower end of the lever or arm 135 carries a roller'136. The center of this roller is preferably on the line passing through the centers of the shafts119 and 118 about which the cams 122 and '128,'respectively, rotatel These cams continuously rotate since theyfare secured to the continuously rotating gears 117 and- 118 that move in opposite directions and the radius of the cams is such that one of the cams engages or nearly engages one side of,

the roller 136while the other cam engages or nearly'engages the other side of the roller. In other words, the-sum of the adjacent radii of the cams remains constant so that the space between the cams will remain constant whereby the roller and the free endof the lever will always be under control.

- The cams are 'shapedand arranged so that when one of the cams is serving to force the lower end of the lever to the left, for

instance, the other cam will have a dwell therein so as to allow the cam to be thus forced. These two? cams in effect constitute a single motion cam which can positively throw the lower end of the lever or arm 135 to either the right or theleft and also hold the lower end of this lever in its adjusted position. When thelower end of the lever 135 is held in its left, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the gear 132 is-in mesh with the gear 131 and rotary motion is impartedto the main gear 14 in the direction of the arrow A- A. The movement imparted to the main gear 14 from the continuously rotating main shaft 115 is through the pinion 116, gear 117 gear 118, roller 127 of the driving member of the Geneva gear construction, driven member- 129 of the Geneva gear construction (which is driven by the roller 127 engaging the notched portion 129) the gear 131, gear 132, gear 134 and-finally the main gear 14. When-the continued movement of thegears 117 and 118 is sufiicient for the cams which are'secured thereto to move the lower end of the lever'or arm 135 to the right, where gear 132 will mesh with gear 125, the main gear 14 will be driven in the direction 1nd1- cated by the arrow B B from the contmuously rotating shaft 115 through the gear which comprises the pinion 116, gear 117,

extreme position to the lowingcycles the set of intermittent gears 121 and 123, the gear 125, gear 132, gear 134 and finally gear 114. a i

The construction and arrangement of the cams 122 and 128 is'such thatthey'may' be ositively moving the lever 135 to the right or left and for holding it in itsadjusted position; The construction of the intermittent gears 121 and 123 and their arrangement considered as a single cammechanism for relative to the set of cams just referred to are I such that the gear 123 and gear 125 are held in a definite locked position by the roller or plate member 121 of'the gear 121 engaging the dwell portion 123 of the gear 123 and consequently the gear 132 can be placed in mesh with the gear'125 by the set of cams while the gear 125 is being held stationary.

The set of Geneva gearsis' constructed and V is mounted relatively -to the set of cams so that the gear 131 is held in a stationary or locked position, by the locking plate 127 of the Geneva gear; driving member engaging the dwell 129 of, the Geneva gear driven member, whereby when the Geneva gear driven member and the gear 131 are thus held stationary the gear 132 can be moved from engagement with the gear 131 to and into' engagement with the then stationary ary) after the gear 125 has rotated the gear 132 the desired number of revolutions.

The main shaft 8 in the construction shown in Fig. 9 maybe continuously rotated by means -'of the mechanismcomprising the indicated gear the indicated chain 86 and the indicated gear 87. It will be manifest that if for any reason it is desired to drive the main shaft 8 in anopposite direction, due to the cam construction thereupon, this can be readily accomplished by transferring the gear 85 so that it will be associated and be driven in unison with the gear 117 instead of with the gear 118, as is done in the construction shown in Fig. 9.

structed, arranged and timed so that the folof operations can take place. For instance, the machine may be considered to be based upon a three second cycle fora complete operation. Duringthe first period, which may be considered a one second period, there is a stop,for-the entire period, of all-movements of the decorticating members about the resisting member or drum.

him

During this period the subsequent gripping mechanism, at 20, opens, the pusher P is then automatically forced outwardly byits spring and the cleaned fiber from the butt end of the strip or stock, previously cleaned or treated, is released. This is followed by the kickoff mechanism K ejecting said strip or stock and moving the same to a position where it can drop upon the receiving racks or arms 106. As soon as said previously cleaned strip or stock has been ejected, strips or pieces of stock to be cleaned are fed into the machine by the mechanism which comprises the movable supports MS' that serveto move the strips or pieces of stock S from the feed tables T to a position over the resisting member or drum 3 and into the spaces between the separated opposed members of the sets of decorticating members or tools which are upon the arms 15* and 16. 1 When in this position the butt end H of the strip or stock drops down and occupies the dotted position shown. in the right half of Fig. 2 and the small or'tip end of the strip or stock drops down and occupies the dotted position marked S in said figure. Shortly after the stock has been positioned in the machine the controlling cam 48 engages the projecting member 47 (see Fig. 4) and forces the movable jaw 18 of the initial gripping mecha nism downwardly whereby the stock to be treated willbe first gripped or seized between the movable member 18 and its opposing. jaw 19 and thus be secured to the resisting member 3 and properly positioned relative thereto. As the motor continues to revolve and drive the main gear 14 through the train of gearing heretofore described it will first cause the sets of decorticating members on arms 15 and 16 to travel in the direction indicated by the arrow A A in Fig. 2 or Fig. 3. During the travel in this direction the sets of decorticating members on arm 15 are permitted, due to the track construction G heretofore described, to come into operation and clean the butt end H of the strip. Until nearly. the end of the movement in this direction the decorticating members on arm 16 are. prevented from pressing between them the stock to be cleaned. Near the end, however, of the movement in the direction of the arrow A A the decortieating members on arm 16, to wit, said subsequent decorticating members, are allowed to approach each other but they are prevented, by means of the small stationary part 94 of the track J from pressing the strip or stock between them until they have moved a shortdistance in the reverse direction, to wit, in the direction of arrow B B. The movement in the direction of AA occupies the period of oneefifth of a second andat the end of this movement the initial decortieating members on arm 15 may be considered to be below or beyond the subsequent gripping mechanism 20, whereas said subsequent decorticating members on arm 16" may be considered to be above the gripping mechanism 20. In other words, the subsequent decorticating members approached, but

stopped at a point short of, the subsequent gripping mechanism.

The third period will now be considered. During this period the decorticating members remain in the position, just. described for a period of two-fifths ofv a second and during thisinterval of timexthe pusher or whip P is brought into operation so as. to whip or push the cleaned fiber ends, from the butt end H, into gripping. position between the jaws 55 and 56 0f the subsequent gripping mechanism 20. The whip or pusher P and the cleaned ends are new gripped by the mechanismat 20. As,- soon as this operation is performed the main. jaw 18 of the initial gripping mechanism is moved away from its grippingv position and in fact is moved far enough away to per mit the passage under the same of the decorticating members or tools which arev carried on the arms 15 and 16 when they travel in the direction of the arrow marked B. The opening movement of the movable jaw 18 of the initial gripping mechanism is accomplished through the medium of a spring and is therefore comparatively quick.

The fourth period is they last to be considered and during this period the cycle. of operations is completed. This period occupies one and two-fifths seconds and during it the decorticating members are moved in the direction of the arrow B B. At the endl of the second period the opposed decorticating members on arm 16- had been moved so as to be on opposite. sides ofthe cleaned 1 05 portions of the fiber. At the beginning of the fourth period said decorticating. members are started on their movement in the direction of the arrow B B. They are permitted to press upon portions of the fiber 1.10 which have been cleaned immediately upon the rollers 33 leaving. the fixed stop or'p01-' tion 94- of track J. During the; restoiithe movement in the direction of'the arrow B B the decorticating memberson arm-l6 areienabled to perform their functionof cleaning the'strip. During this period the strip is held by the subsequent gripping mechanism 20 and also by thefriction ofcleaned fiber pressing against the curved periphery of the resisting member or 3. During the time a cleaning operation is being performed, byeither the opposing members on the arms 15 or arms 16, it will be observed that the inner member or resistance mem- 1'25 bers Y are located betweenthe stock being treated and the resisting member or drum 3. When, however, the initial decorticating members on the arm 15 are traveling in the direction of the arrow B B they are passing over and not in engagement with the stock which has been cleaned and which is then resting upon the resisting member 3 in the space Z. They are enabled to do this 5 because the movement in the direction of arrow A A is sufficient for the decorticating members on the arm 15 to pass beyond the clean butt end of the strip whereby when a reverse movement is subsequently imparted to the decorticating members they can pass over the strip which is then gripped at 20. The movement in the direction of the arrow B. B is more than a complete revolution and is suflicient to return the gear 14 and the decorticating members carried or actuated thereby to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3; in other words, to their initial position thus completing the cycle of operations.

From what has preceded it will be manifest thatthe gear construction clearly shown in Figs. 9 to 15can be employed to transfer the power from a continuously rotating shaft or motor to the main gear 1 1 and also to the main shaft 8 and that the mechanism shown in said figures can be employed in place of the-corresponding mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4:; in fact the mechanism shown in Figs. 9 to 15 illustrates the preferred construction.

The machine previously described and clearly shown on the drawings is portable, is comparatively compact, afiords a high speed of operation, requires only a comparatively small amount of power to operate, is 35 safe in its operation, and is highly efficient in its cleaning operation. The cleaning or decorticating members are readily adJustable. The opposing members of any set of decorticating members can be maintained in the proper relation in respect to each other through the means of the contact block and the long powerful adjustable tension springs which tend to force the outer decorticating member or knife toward its inner decorti- 45 eating member. The opposing decorticating members are mounted so that they are open at one end whereby material to be treated can be inserted, by a lateral 'movement, into the space between the'members. A proje'ction or supporting member is provided on one of the decorticating members for assisting in maintaining the freeend of the opposing decorticating member in place relative to the decorticating member carrying 55 said projection or stop. Due to the curved periphery of the drum or resisting member some of the strain imparted to the clean 'fibercan :be absorbed by the curved portion of the drum against which it rests and will 60 consequently not have to be transmitted to the gripping mechanism holding the fiber in place at that particular time.

While the resisting member is shown as being circular in form having a sheet metal 65-periphery, still it will be manifest that-the stationary during ticating members when thus engaging the resisting member to gripping mechanism being positioned rela resisting member can be made in other forms and that the resisting surface can be provided by means other than a sheet metal member as, for instance, a series of rods extending from one side of the resisting memberto the other. 5

From what has preceded it will be observed that the decorticating members operate intermittently upon the stock which is held in place relative to the circular resisting means, to wit, the drum 3. It will also be observed that the stoc is held substantially the time that the entire portion thereof is, being cleaned by the de- .corticating members which have an angular movement relative to the drum 3 and which decorticating members also travel past the exterior of the gripping means.

. It will also be manifest that the decorticating members move indifferent directions to clean different portions of the stock; in other words, while the stock is being held stationary the decorticating members are moved .in one direction to clean one portion of the stock and while the stock still remains substantially stationary and is held in said position the decorticating members move in an opposite direction toclean the remaining portion of the stock.

The improvements herein set forth are not limited to the precise construction and arrangement shown and described for they may be embodied in various forms and modifications without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

'What I claim is:

1. A.machine of the class described comprising in combination a fiber resisting-memher, an initial set of gripping mechanism for securing the stock to be cleaned to the said resisting member, an initial set or sets .of opposingv decorticating members arranged to engage opposite sides. of the stock when thus secured, means for moving said initial decorstock toward .and beyond one end of the stock. for .the purpose of-cleaning said end, a

subsequent gripping mechanism for securing the cleaned end of-thestock to said resisting member, a subsequent set or sets of opposing decorticating members" arranged to engage opposite sides of the stock and to be moved toward the other end of the stock for the purpose of cleaning the rest of the stock, means for moving said subsequent decortieating members in a manner to perform their function, the initial set of gripping mechanism being open during the latter cleaning operation whereby said subsequent decorticating members can pass from one sideof said initial gripping mechanism along said the other side of said initial gripping mechanism, the resisting member being shaped and said subsequent tive thereto so that during at least a portion of the time when said subsequent decorticating members are performing their cleaning operation some of the pull or strain on the cleaned portion of the stock will be resisted by the resisting member against which the c eaned portion presses.

2. A machine of the class described com prising in combination a drum or fiber resisting member, an initial gripping mechanism for securing the stock to be cleaned to the drum or resisting member, an initial set or sets of opposing decorticating members, at least one of the decorticating members of each set being a knife, one of the members of each initial set being arranged to engage the side ofthe stock which is farthest remote from the drum, the other member of each set being located between the exterior of the drum and the stock when secured to the drum by said initial gripping mechanism, means tending to normally force the decorticating members of each initial set relatively toward each other, means for mov ing said initial set or sets of decorticating members toward one end of the stock when in engagement with the stock, a subsequent gripping mechanism for securing to the drum the end portion of the stock when the end portion has been cleaned, a subsequent set or sets of opposing decorticating men1- bers, one member of each subsequent set be ing located upon and engaging the side of the stock farthest from the resisting member or drum, the other or opposing member of each set being located between the stock and the drum and engaging the side of the stock nearest to the drum, means tending to normally force the decorticating members of said subsequent set relatively toward each other, and means for moving said subsequent set or sets of opposing decorticating members from a cleaned portion of the stock toward the other end of the stock so as to clean the rest of the stock, the initial gripping mechanism being released so that said subsequent set or sets of decorticating members can be moved along the stock.

3QA machine of the class described comprising in combination a cylindrical drum or resisting member, an initial gripping mechanism for securing the stock to be cleaned to the drum, an initial set or sets of opposing, decorticating members, a subse quent set or sets of opposing decorticating members, mechanism for supporting said initial and subsequent sets of decorticating members so that they can be moved along the periphery of the drum in one direction at one time and so thatthey can be moved along the periphery of the drum in another direction at a subsequent time, the machine being constructed so that whensaid decorticating members are moved in one direction the initial set or sets thereof are automatition, for a cally brought into operation to clean one end of the stock, which stock is at that time secured to the drum by the initial gripping mechanism, a subsequent gripping mechanism that automatically grips the end of the stock cleaned by the initial opposing decorticating members and so that when the sets of decorticating members are moved in a reverse direction the subsequent set of de-: corticating members will operate to clean the rest of the stock.

4. A machine of the class described comprising in combination a drum constituting a fiber resisting member, a frame carrying the same, a continuously rotating member carried by said frame, a inain bearing or shaft located at the central portion of said drum, a main gear having secured thereto members carrying an initial set or sets of decorticating members and a subsequent set or sets of decorticating members, a train of gearing between the continuously rotating member and the main gear whereby the main gear and the sets of decorticating members thereupon will be moved in one direction, as in a counter-clockwise direcpartial revolution and whereby the same main gear and sets of decorticating members thereupon will be automatically driven in a reverse direction, as in a clockwise direction, for more than a revolution, an initial gripping mechanism, a subsequent gripping mechanism, controlling mechanism for said initial gripping mechanism, which controlling mechanism is operatively associated with said gearing whereby the initial gripping mechanism will grip stock to be operated upon, means associated with the initial set or sets of decorticating members whereby said members will be caused to engage the stock when it is gripped by said initial gripping mechanism and will remain in operative engagement with said stock and thus clean an end of said stock while the main gear and the decorticating members thereupon are being moved in one direction, as in the counter-clockwise direc tion, a second controlling mechanism associated with said train of gearing whereby said subsequent gripping mechanism will be automatically brought into operation to seize the cleaned end of the stock, and means for automatically permitting the members of said subsequent set of decorticating members to operatively engage the stock when the latter is secured in place by said subsequent gripping mechanism.

5. A machine of the c lass described comprising-in combination a drum constituting a fiber resisting member, a frame carrying the same, a continuously rotating member carried by said frame, a main bearing or shaft located at the central portion of said drum, a main gear having secured thereto members carrying an initial set or sets of tion, for a partial revolution and whereby the same main gear and sets of decorticating members thereupon will be automatically driven in a reverse direction, as in a clockwise direction, for more than a revolution, an initial gripping mechanism, a subsequent gripping mechanism, controlling mechanism for said initial gripping mechanism, which controlling mechanismis operatively. associated with said. gearing where by the initial gripping mechanism will grip stock to be operated upon, means associated with the initial set or sets of decorticating members hereby said members will be, caused to engage the stock when it is gripped by said initial gripping mechanism and will remain in operative engagement with said stock and thl S clean an end of said stock. while the main gear and the decorticating members thereupon are being moved in one direction, as in the counterclockwise direction, a second controlling mechanism associated withsaid train of gearing whereby said subsequent gripping mechanism will be automatically brought into operat on to seize the cleaned end of the stock, and means forautomatically per; mitting the members of said subsequent set of decorticating members to operatively engage the stock when the latter is secured in place by said subsequent gripping mechanism, the machine being constructed so that the decorticating members of the initial set will pass over the outer side of the stock which has beenv cleaned as the decorticating members are being moved in a clockwise direction, one member of each said subsequent set being located on the outer side of the stock and the other member of each subsequent set being located between the inner side of the stockand the periphery of the drum during the entire period of travel along the stock in both the counter-clockwise and lockwise directions, the members of said subsequent set or sets being held out of operative engagement with the stock during' the travel of the members in the counterclockwise direction 6. A machine ofthe class described com prising in combination a drum, a main bearing or shaft located at the central portion of :the drum, a main member carried by said shaft which main member supports thereupon a pair of arms one of which arms carries an initial set or sets of decorticating members andthe other of which arms carries a subsequent set or sets of decorticating members; and me n f r m ving said are;

7 A machine of-theclass described com a portion of the periphery of the drum at one time and in a reverse direction at a subsequent time, an initial gripping mechanism for seizing one portion of a piece of stock and securing it to the drum while the initial decorticating members are being moved in one direction to clean the stock, and a subsequent gripping mechanism for seizing another portion of the stock and securing it to the drum while said subsequent decorticating members are being moved in the reverse direction to clean the rest of the stock. a

8. A machine of the class described'comprising in combination a drum, initial decor'ticating members, subsequent decortieating members, means for moving .said decorticating members in one direction about a portionof the periphery of the drum at one time and'in a reverse direction at a subsequent time, and initial gripping mechanism for seizing one portion of a piece of S i stock and securing it to the drum while the in t al decorticatlng members are bemg moved 1n one direction to clean the stock,

a subsequent gripping mechanism for seiz- 10 ing another portion of the stock and securing it to the drum while said subsequent deccrticating members are being moved in the reverse direction to clean the rest of the stock, and a common means for'moving the 1 decorticating members in the manner above described, for causing the gripping mechanisms to be brought into operation at the proper periods of time and for causing said gripping mechanisms to be automatically released at the proper periods of time.

9. A machine of the class described comprising in combination a resisting member having a circular, periphery, decorticating members initial and subsequent gripping mechanisms, and common means for actuating said decorticating members and said gripping mechanisms in a manner so that when the initial gripping portion of the stock to be cleaned the decortieating members will be moving in one direction to clean a portion of the stock and so that at a subsequent period the subsequent gripping tion of the stock and hold the same while the decorticating members are being moved in a reverse direction to clean the rest of the toc movable about the periphery,

mechanism is seizing one mechanism will grip another por- L2 5 A achin O the she ascrib d c mi 

